Durand Bernarr
American singer-songwriter, producer and DJ
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Bernarr Durand Ferebee, Jr.,[1] known professionally as Durand Bernarr is an American singer-songwriter, producer, and DJ. He frequently provides background vocals for neo-soul artist Erykah Badu and featured vocals for other artists such as Anderson .Paak, Kaytranada, and the Internet. In 2019, Bernarr was a runner-up on the BET reality music competition The Next Big Thing.[2][3] In 2026, he earned his first Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album for his album BLOOM.[4]
September 16, 1988
Durand Bernarr | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | alcoholharmony, DJ TBD aka Bra Coley |
| Born | Bernarr Durand Ferebee Jr September 16, 1988 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, producer, DJ, Comedian |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano, keyboard |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Label | DSING Records (Independent) |
| Website | durandbernarr.com |
Early life
Bernarr was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.[5][6] He was raised an only child by his mother, a professional music teacher and vocal coach, and his father, an audio engineer who worked with artists like Jay-Z, Beyonce, Rihanna, Jill Scott, and Whitney Houston. At 16, Bernarr accompanied his father on tour for Earth, Wind & Fire as a production assistant.[7] He attended church where his mother was the music director and his interest in music was further nurtured by the gospel music he heard there.[8] He cites Erykah Badu, Rick James and Little Richard as his biggest influences.[3]
Career
In 2008, Bernarr began to grow his digital fanbase by posting YouTube videos that incorporated singing, dancing, and comedic commentary. He also covered popular songs by artists like Kanye West, Amy Winehouse, and Gnarls Barkley.[7] In 2009, he released his first mixtape titled alcoholharmony: The MixT@pe consisting of studio versions of his popular covers from YouTube and original content via Bandcamp.[9] In 2010, Bernarr released his second EP 8ight: The Stepson of Erykah Badu, a compilation of Badu covers and medleys.[10][7] Shortly after, Badu messaged him on Twitter and, having heard 8ight, she hired him as a background vocalist in her band Nedda Stella in 2011.[7]
Bernarr collaborates with various mainstream and independent artists as a featured vocalist or providing background vocals. He has collaborated and performed with Ari Lennox, Kaytranada, The Foreign Exchange, The Internet, Sam Sparro, Thundercat, Knxwledge, Qveen Herby, Tweet and Teedra Moses.[8][9]
Bernarr competed on BET's 2019 reality music competition series The Next Big Thing.[2] He both rapped and sang, and eventually finished as one of the top three performers.[8]
He released the album DUR& (pronounced Durand) in September 2020.[11] In a review, Lucas Aubry of Numéro stated that the album "once again shows his incredible ability to go up in the highs like D’Angelo and down into the low and groovy frequencies of Nate Dogg in numerous rapped moments."[7] In 2022 he released the EP Wanderlust.[12] On the accompanying tour he began DJing under the moniker DJ TBD aka Bra Coley.[13][14]
Bernarr released the album En Route in 2024. En Route earned a nomination for a Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album, his first nomination.[4] He released the album BLOOM in 2025, which is primarily about his appreciation for his "platonic friendships."[15] Meagan Jordan of Rolling Stone stated in a positive review: "Bloom pulls on Bernarr’s musical knowledge and appreciation of many genres, while still remaining unique and authentic to his own vocal style."[15] BLOOM received three Grammy Award nominations,[16] and won the award for Best Progressive R&B Album, which was his first win.[1] His acceptance speech was referred to as "radiating joy."[17]
He announced the forthcoming album Bernarr, which will debut May 1, 2026.[18] The album features Raphael Saadiq, Khalid, James Fauntleroy, and Vic Mensa.[18]
Personal life
Bernarr resides in Los Angeles.[3] Similar to R&B singer Brandy's pseudonym "the vocal Bible," he is widely known by the new-age neo-soul moniker "the vocal Hymn book for his ability to take his audience to church. He identifies as queer.[10]
Discography
Studio albums
- #Blameitonthemango (2014)
- DUR& (2020)
- Wanderlust (2022)
- BLOOM (2025)
- BERNARR. (2026)
EPs
- EXTRA Stankin' Christmas (2012)
- ANXIETY (2013)
- Sound Check (2016)
- En Route (2024)
- Charlie Vettuno Presents... Where in the World is Carmen Randiego?! (with Charlie Vettuno) (2024)
Mixtapes
- alcoholharmony: The MixT@pe (2009)
- 8ight: The Stepson of Erykah Badu (2010)
- Some Time in December, 1987 (2011)
- 80's Baby (2012)
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Lead artist(s) | Album | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Hang on 2 Your Love" | 2013 | Sam Sparro | Quantum Physical, Vol. 1 EP | [19] |
| "Talk Like God" | Mr. Ivory Snow | Rugged | ||
| "Moon Springs, Natural" (also featuring Rome Fortune) | 2014 | Lorenzo Asher | Numismatics | |
| "Fade" | 2018 | Mr. Ivory Snow | Snow | |
| "One More Time" | Uptowne Buddha | Bravo | ||
| "Freefall" | 2019 | Kaytranada | Bubba | [20] |
| "Houzkatz" | Adam Ness | Sagittarius | ||
| "Shut up & Groove" | Romero Mosley | Forever Is for Dreamers | ||
| "Self Aware" | 2020 | Qveen Herby | EP 8 | [21] |
| "Facetime (Remix)" | Ari Lennox | Shea Butter Baby (Remix EP) | [22] | |
| "Dance to My Heart" | Mr. Ivory Snow | Unreleased II (Light) | ||
| "Can't Wait to Go Outside" | Nanna.B | QuaranTina | ||
| "minding_my business"(also featuring Rose Gold) | Knxwledge | 1988 | ||
| "I Like It" | 2021 | Terrell Grice | The Terrell One Million Show | |
| "Sugar Coat Me" | Philip Lassiter | Live in Love | ||
| "Root Chakra" (also featuring Munir Hossn and Jeff Coffin) | ||||
| "Whisper (Want You)" (also featuring Allen Love and Steve Lacy) | Patrick Paige II | If I Fail Are We Still Cool? | ||
| "Move On" | 2022 | Khé | I'll Be OKhé | |
| "Perspective" (also featuring Aron Hodek and Philip Lassiter) | Candy Dulfer | We Never Stop | ||
| "Midnight" | Kendre Streeter | Facets of Love | ||
| "That Bag" | Elijah Boothe | Wake Up Call | ||
| "Wonderland" | Metta | Euphoric Misery | ||
| "Stuck" | Jam in The Van & T.Nava | T.Nava - Jam in teh Van (Live Session, Los Angeles, CA 2022) | ||
| "Girlfriend" | ||||
| "Red Aura" (also featuring Qveen Herby) | 2023 | Tech N9ne | Bliss | [23] |
| "Own It All" | Soul from the O | Queens and Pharaohs | ||
| "Repent - Live" (also featuring Candy Dulfer) | Philip Lassiter | Raw In Amsterdam (Live) | ||
| "Make America Love Again - Live" | ||||
| "Bump The Man - Live" | ||||
| "Sugar Coat Me - Live" | ||||
| "Wings Of Love - Live" | ||||
| "Soul Music - Live" | ||||
| "Weird" | 2024 | Kaytranada | Timeless | |
| "Tuesday Afternoon" | Sara Lina | The Fool | ||
| "Eat The Rich" | VVitch King | VVitch King | ||
| "Le Départ" | Adi Oasis | Lotus Glow (Deluxe) | ||
| "on the way" | Solomon Fox | speedrun | ||
| "Let It Drop" | 2025 | Estelle | Stay Alta | |
| "Last Lovers" | Aria Lanelle | The Quiet Parts Out Loud | ||
| "Lover" (also featuring Tiffany Gouché) | André Mego | Scent of a Woman | ||
| "Lover - Acapella" (also featuring Tiffany Gouché) | 2026 | A Scent Deconstructed | ||
| "Lover - Freeverse" (also featuring Tiffany Gouché) | ||||
| "Falling" | E-WHIZZ | Whizz's Archive Vol 3 | ||
| "Bossa Bossa" | ||||
| "How Can I" | ||||
| "Moonlight" | Miranda Rae | Soul Food | ||
Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Bernarr has earned 1 award from 4 nominations.[24][25]
| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Best Progressive R&B Album | En Route | Nominated |
| 2026 | Bloom | Won | |
| Best R&B Song | "Overqualified" | Nominated | |
| Best Traditional R&B Performance | "Here We Are" | Nominated |
Miscellaneous awards
| Year | Organization | Award | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | GLAAD Media Awards | Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist | Himself | Won | [26] |
| 2026 | Outstanding Music Artist | Bloom | Nominated | [27] | |
| Queerty Awards | Anthem | "Overqualified" | Nominated |